A Vision for the Future

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A new church year begins with Advent. And just as January 1st is a good time for taking stock and looking ahead, so is this season in which we start a new liturgical calendar.

As I write, I have just wrapped up a round of stewardship gatherings, meeting with parishioners for coffee and conversation about St. John's mission and ministry in 2011. One of the activities at the gatherings was to present folks with notecards and ask two probing questions: "What do you love about St. John's?" and "What needs attention—what are we not doing or not doing well?"

After some great discussion following this exercise, I took the cards back to the church and charted the answers in a spreadsheet so I can continue to think and pray about how we are doing as a parish. I thought you might enjoy hearing a report on this, so that you can think and pray along with me about God's calling on this church. Here are some responses, beginning with Question One: What do folks love about St. John's?

WORSHIP. Twenty nine people wrote down "liturgy," "the music," "choir," "the service," or some combination of these terms. It is not surprising that this is number one for so many of our people, since beautiful worship is a hallmark of Anglican Christianity. One person described St. John's approach as "robust liturgical worship—word and sacrament." Another wrote, "I love the emphasis on beautiful, musical, liturgical worship," and another, "The reverence, the dignity, the use of laity in the liturgy."

COMMUNITY came next. Twenty two people remarked on how St. John's is like "a big family." "It's my church HOME," wrote one person. Some made mention of the friendliness of parishioners, another pointed to the fellowship enjoyed by the Men's Camping Group. Another noted "We are a family that takes care of one other."

PREACHING AND THE CLERGY. I've combined these into a single category, though responses came back in different forms. Someone wrote down, "Excellent Biblical preaching" and another, "We need room for notes on the bulletins!" Still others mentioned "the kindness of the Clergy and staff," a comment that itself exudes such kindness.

TEACHING was the third major area identified on the notecards. (All the responses are reported on page 9.) The quality of our Christian Education for children was affirmed, and with regard to what is going on in our adult education, folks expressed delight in "wonderful, deeper Bible studies" and how encouraging it is to see talented lay teachers blessing others with their teaching gifts.

As grateful as I was for all the good things that parishioners pointed out, I was equally grateful to hear about where we can improve. So here are some of the answers to Question Two: What needs attention? What opportunities are we missing?

EVANGELISM AND GROWTH. The number one area of need, mentioned on eleven notecards, evidences a desire to move out further in mission. "We need to reach more families and singles," wrote one. Another said, "Immediate neighborhood outreach." Others got down right specific: "Run the Harvest program more frequently, in new zip codes," "Need to do a better job including newcomers," "We must reach out to people of diverse cultural/ethnic/economic backgrounds." Still others offered ideas about better PR and signage, or having name tags to assist parishioners in creating a more welcoming atmosphere.

YOUTH was the second big area identified, five people remarking on how the population of young people continues to grow, deserving more attention and effort. Even while people pointed out our active and growing EYC, with a lot of gratitude expressed for the leadership of Fr. Corley and the Kiralys in taking the ministry to this level, there was the repeated concern that without a Youth Minister in the future, presuming our continued growth, we will not be giving our young adults the attention they need through these important years.

ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL was the third area of opportunity identified, and responses came back in two forms. "Parishioners need to be able to go to the school," someone wrote, referring to the cost of tuition and how this exceeds most of our members' financial situation. Others pointed to the missional opportunities we are missing next door, one by stating, "We need a concerted effort to bring more school families into the church."

And then there were a variety of other concerns raised, including service ministries, the concern that not all of our parishioners are assuming their share of financial responsibility to the parish, the deferred maintenance around our campus, and the need for more pastoral attention in some cases.

Each year, I set goals with the Vestry, and this year one goal has been to "Develop a vision statement for St. John's." Yes, we all know the mantra about "worship, discipleship, and mission." But what kind of worship—have we arrived, or are we still trying to achieve something in this area? Regarding discipleship, what kind of educational opportunities will further our people in their knowledge, love, and service of the Lord? Is what we are doing now—offering Christian Education mostly on Sunday mornings—the best we can do? And then, mission: who are we trying to reach? I am mindful of the maxim that if you aim at nothing, you will be sure to hit it! To be sure, we will welcome and minister to anyone who walks in the door, but what are the particular needs in the world around us to which God has given St. John's the particular spiritual graces to meet?

Because I am so well aware that I am not the sole possessor of the Holy Spirit in this parish, this feedback (from an entire community through whom the Holy Spirit is so evidently working and speaking) is so helpful as I take my "vision goal" to the Lord in prayer, and work on it with the Vestry in the year ahead.

Stay tuned for my next report,